Comparison of Outcomes Between Femtosecond Laser-Assisted and Conventional Phacoemulsification in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Patients With Cataracts

Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive, bilateral corneal disorder characterized by endothelial cell loss, Descemet's membrane thickening, and corneal edema, leading to visual impairment. Patients with moderate to severe FECD are particularly vulnerable to corneal decompensation following cataract surgery due to their compromised endothelial function. As cataract surgery is a common necessity in this patient population, selecting an appropriate surgical technique that minimizes endothelial cell damage is crucial to ensuring optimal postoperative outcomes.

This observational, prospective, multi-center controlled study aims to compare the mid- to long-term efficacy and safety of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) versus conventional phacoemulsification surgery (CPS) in patients with moderate to severe FECD undergoing cataract extraction. The study seeks to determine which technique better preserves corneal endothelial integrity and maintains visual function, providing valuable insights into surgical decision-making for this high-risk patient population.

Study Objectives The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the differences in corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) loss and corneal thickness changes between FLACS and CPS in patients with moderate to severe FECD undergoing cataract surgery.

The secondary objectives include:

Assessing differences in postoperative visual acuity, including uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA).

Comparing corneal densitometry and transparency changes between the two surgical techniques.

Evaluating postoperative corneal edema and potential complications related to endothelial decompensation.

Study Design Type: Prospective, observational, multi-center, controlled study Study Sites: Three ophthalmology centers with similar surgical and imaging equipment Participants: 120 eyes from 120 patients (FLACS group: 80 eyes; CPS group: 40 eyes)

Grouping: Patients will be assigned to either FLACS or CPS based on clinical indications rather than randomization. Subgroup analyses will be conducted based on:

Age (>70 years vs. ≤70 years) Preoperative endothelial cell density (<1000 cells/mm² vs. ≥1000 cells/mm²) Cataract nuclear grading (>grade 3 vs. ≤grade 3) Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients scheduled for cataract surgery Age ≥40 years Diagnosed with moderate to severe FECD (endothelial cell density <1500 cells/mm²)

Exclusion Criteria:

History of prior intraocular surgery Presence of ocular conditions other than FECD and cataracts (e.g., severe dry eye, corneal scarring, keratoconus, uveitis, uncontrolled glaucoma, vitreoretinal disease) Requirement for additional intraocular procedures during the study period (excluding Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy)

Discontinuation Criteria:

Failure to complete scheduled follow-up visits Serious adverse events (e.g., vision-threatening endophthalmitis) Participant withdrawal from the study Interventions \& Assessments

Preoperative Evaluation:

Comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including visual acuity testing (UDVA, CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and refraction Biometric assessment using IOLMaster Corneal endothelial cell density measurement using specular microscopy and confocal microscopy (central, superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal zones) Corneal pachymetry and densitometry evaluation using Pentacam

Surgical Interventions:

FLACS Group: Patients will undergo femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, which includes laser-assisted corneal incisions, capsulotomy, and lens fragmentation, followed by phacoemulsification.

CPS Group: Patients will undergo conventional phacoemulsification with manual capsulorhexis and lens nucleus fragmentation using ultrasound energy.

Postoperative Follow-Up Schedule:

Patients will be followed up at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. At each follow-up visit, the following assessments will be performed:

Visual acuity (UDVA, CDVA) Intraocular pressure measurement Corneal endothelial assessment using specular and confocal microscopy Corneal pachymetry and densitometry using Pentacam Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes:

Change in central corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) from baseline to postoperative time points Change in corneal thickness from baseline to postoperative time points

Secondary Outcomes:

Change in corneal densitometry (central, superior, inferior, nasal, temporal zones) Postoperative visual acuity outcomes (UDVA, CDVA) Rate of corneal edema and decompensation Incidence of surgical complications (e.g., intraoperative endothelial damage, postoperative corneal haze) Statistical Analysis Continuous variables will be expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and analyzed using t-tests or ANOVA.

Categorical variables will be analyzed using Chi-square tests. Non-normally distributed data will be evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Longitudinal changes will be assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman's test.

Pearson correlation analysis will be used to evaluate relationships between variables.

A p-value < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Ethical Considerations This study will be conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and national ethical guidelines. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to enrollment. Patient confidentiality will be maintained through anonymized data collection and storage. The study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the institutional ethics committee.

Significance of the Study This study will provide critical evidence on the optimal surgical approach for cataract patients with FECD, guiding clinicians in making evidence-based surgical decisions to improve visual outcomes and reduce endothelial cell loss in this vulnerable population. It may also contribute to refining surgical techniques and identifying best practices for preserving corneal endothelial health during cataract surgery in patients with pre-existing endothelial dysfunction.